How religion became the bedrock of modern rap

Today Ryan Bassil explores in The Guardian how, from Stormzy to Kendrick Lamar, rappers are referencing Christianity in their music more than ever before:

'Kanye West’s follow-up to 2013’s Yeezus (no guesses there), The Life of Pablo, was inspired in part by Paul the Apostle. Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book – SoundCloud’s most popular album of 2016 – is an overt reimagining of gospel. Stormzy’s aforementioned debut album repeatedly references his faith, while evangelical themes are also the bedrock of Kendrick’s career. His breakthrough album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, is built around the sinner’s prayer and his magnum opus, To Pimp a Butterfly, loosely manoeuvres through conversations with Satan and God ...

By placing their faith among rap tropes, these artists are drawing attention to the multifaceted lifestyle of modern believers.'

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Chance the Rapper - Blessings.